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Rowdies shut out by Ottawa

 
Published Sept. 14, 2014

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rowdies couldn't find a finishing touch, and when they did, Ottawa was there to make a key save, and Tampa Bay lost 2-0 Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium.

Last-place Ottawa, which went in with one win in nine fall-season games, scored in the 25th minute, then withstood an hour of the Rowdies controlling possession. It got its second goal in second-half stoppage time.

Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill said he had a bad feeling about how the night would go.

"We were never sure it would come (Saturday)," he said. "We didn't show very much conviction in front of the goal."

Rowdies leading scorer Georgi Hristov had three chances in alone but could not convert. And whenever it looked like the Rowdies (5-4-1, 16 points the fall; 7-7-5, 26 points overall) finally had found the target, a Fury player had something to say about it.

In the 62nd minute, Fury goalie Romuald Peiser made a critical reflex save on Brian Shriver. "I've got to find a way to get that goal. (Saturday) was frustrating," Shriver said.

Right before stoppage time, Hristov sent a ball across to Casey Townsend, who headed it past Peiser. But defender Phillippe Davies was in good position to clear it away. Townsend and fellow sub Ricardo Morris looked to combine for a goal in the 72nd minute, but Morris rushed it and shot well wide.

Morris sent a thrill through the crowd of 4,340 later with a ball that put Hristov in clean, however, Peiser got off his mark to snare it.

Tampa Bay outshot the Fury 19-6, with seven shots on target. That number was not enough for Hill's liking.

"I'd like to see someone say 'This is mine' and have a shot … irrespective of what damage might come to you personally," said Hill, who added that for the first time in a while he saw selfish play.

"I don't like selfish players," he said.

Ottawa started strong and was rewarded in the 25th minute. Oliver greeted a sailing cross with a flying header that drifted over goalie Matt Pickens. Sinisa Ubiparipovic got the stoppage-time goal.

Fall-season leader San Antonio lost to Carolina on Saturday, and Carolina (27 points) jumped the Rowdies for fourth in the overall standings.

"Ultimately it's a missed opportunity for us," Shriver said.